Traditionally, shopping has been a woman’s sport. The typical guy’s guy detests malls and would rather let his mom select his wardrobe than take the time to cultivate a personal style. But, now, male-specific shopping solutions are affording even the most uninspired man a chance to find a sartorial niche, so lazy dudes soon have no excuses for wearing free T-shirts in public.
Pánská Pasáž:
Perhaps one reason why many men loathe malls is because so many of the stores within them are aimed at women. Might they take a liking if someone designed a
mall strictly for male shoppers? Well, merchants in the Czech Republic are about to find out, as the first men-centric shopping center is set to open in Prague. Pánská Pasáž (English translation: “Gentleman’s Arcade”) will house 19 luxury men’s boutiques in 800-plus square meters of purely masculine mall. In addition to clothing, the
Metrostav-developed shopping center will be home to a tailor, a men’s perfumerie, and a traditional barbershop, making it a one-stop shop for gentlemen of style.
Hendricks Park: A number of
online men’s outfitters have stepped up for guys who are too busy, or uninterested, to leave the house in search of new clothes. Hendricks Park is a
professional consulting service that takes online advice a step further with
styling sessions conducted via webcam. After meeting via video chat to discuss what kinds of clothes the customer needs, a shipment is sent straight to their house, no browsing necessary. Additionally, Hendricks Park offers an optional closet analysis where a stylist meets with a customer virtually to evaluate everything in their existing wardrobe—a service that, with the growing movement towards minimalism, may be welcomed by both genders.
Trunk Club:
One of the benefits of online shopping is the ability to do it while wearing almost nothing at all.
Clients of
virtual men’s shopping service Trunk Club, however, can’t just lounge around in their skivvies. Membership begins with a video meeting at which a customer chats with a consultant about their wardrobe needs and general sense of style, after which a trunk of clothes is shipped out. Again, via virtual meeting, the customer tries on the duds and decides, with the stylist’s help, what works and what doesn’t. For Chicago area clients, in-person meetings are also available...with complimentary beers to boot. Maybe this is man’s game, after all.
